Morning Phil Up – 4/26/2014 – Philadelphia Phillies can’t get the tying run home, fall to Arizona Diamondbacks 5-4

Apr 25, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Josh Collmenter (55) pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Yesterday’s Game

Diamondbacks defeat Phillies 5-4

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Emotional reaction immediately after the game

What happened to the clutch hitting?

Less emotional reaction after thinking about it a bit

Facing a weak Arizona pitching staff with Roberto Hernandez on the mound, the Phillies need to score more than four runs.

Heroes

Josh Collmenter had struggled in his previous starts, but he shut the Phillies out for six innings. Aaron Hill had three RBIs including a fourth inning homer to start the scoring.

Goat

John Mayberry came in as a pinch runner for Ryan Howard in the eighth (which was the correct move in almost anyone’s book). But first he was un-aggressive on the base paths which may have cost the Phillies a run. Then he struck out in the ninth with the tying run in scoring position.

Today’s Game

Philadelphia Phillies (11-12) at Arizona Diamondbacks (8-18)

Cliff Lee. Image Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Game time: 8:10 PM

TV: CSN

Starting pitchers: Cliff Lee (3-2) vs. Bronson Arroyo (1-2)

Preview

The Phillies need to win tonight if they want to avoid losing this series to the last place Diamondbacks. Fortunately, they have a clear advantage in the pitching matchup. Cliff Lee has been as good as ever lately, giving up one run in 17 innings over his last two starts. He will be opposed by Bronson Arroyo who has been mostly awful this season.

Still, it would be wrong to simply count this one as a win. Based on his career track record, Arroyo will probably turn things around at some point. Besides, the Phillies struggled to score against unheralded Josh Collmenter on Friday night, so they can’t take anything for granted.

Link of Interest

Rant Sports – J.P. Crawford looks more than capable of replacing Jimmy Rollins

The Phillies have had high hopes for J.P. Crawford since selecting him in the first round of the 2013 draft. Currently playing at the single A level, the Phillies envision him being the eventual replacement at shortstop for Jimmy Rollins. Some people even suspect that Crawford could end up being better than Rollins, the franchise’s all-time best shortstop.

Tweet of Importance

I predicted that the Phillies would be a .500 team. Was I correct?